Count Me In!

Whew! I found this contest just in time! I think I have about 50 minutes till it closes!!

I am entering The Blogging Challenge started by One Man's Goal! The challenge is to make your blogging scores go up higher during the month of August - the winner gets a place of honor on One Man's Goal sidebar :) Spiffy!

Just the attention I could use for my Blog For A Year contest.

Burn Baby, Burn

Paul and I finally made the decision to join a gym. Well, ok, I made the decision to join one. Paul has faithfully been working out at least 5 days a week since forever. But we joined the *same* gym last Monday, and then got sick and didn't go back.

Till today that is. I haven't worked with free weights for about thirteen months, and I gotta say - it feels GREAT to be back at it!
I am debating starting to blog about my weight loss progress. I have seen brave folks posting before - during - after pictures and posting their current weight, what they lose along the way and their goals throughout.

I am not sure if I am that brave. I would much rather post a before/after picture AFTER the fact - just in case I never actually get to "the after." =)

Contests coming out my ears...

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a few super cool contest!

First up is $300 of Free Dairy products from Horizon Organic. Perfect timing with Judah getting ready to embark on the lovely journey of food! =)

Secondly is a 37" Flat Panel LCD HDTV from Best Buy!! Wow, eh? I think that's a pretty exciting giveaway - in fact I think it is the most generous give away I have seen in the bloggy world.

Here is some cool news for all my blog readers - you DON'T need to have your own blog to enter the contest!! AND for the HDTV they accept Canadian entries! How cool is that? All you need to do is leave a comment with an email address so that they can get in touch with you should you win (and if you do win I expect to be invited over lots to watch movies with you - or to drink your milk, depending on which one you win!!) So go check out the cool prizes and browse around 5 Minutes for Mom's site a bit :)

iPod Shuffle Contest

Want to win an iPod shuffle? Of course you do! But I don't want you to. I want to win it!! But for the chance to win it I'm obligated to write this review about Brandon Hopkins' contest and link to this site about free business cards.

Well, that was all I was obligated to say, but I want to add that his blog is pretty cool. I mean, you've got to be to youtube yourself to make your contest known, right?? But he's got great ideas too - like naming a writing business There, Their, They’re. Maybe it's just me, but me thinks it's rather clever :)

I hope Brandon doesn't mind that I embedded his Youtube video on my blog - I thought it was so clever that I wanted to share it with everyone!

Blogging to Win!

Kuanhoong dot com is giving away $100!! The contest ends soon, so if you want to enter you'd better get at it! As with most any contest there are rules! These rules however are simple:

Write a review 100 - 150 words about his make money at home blog- in English or in another language. This is where I wish I spoke another language. How many languages can this person know? I'd love to write this review in some little known language. But my language skills are only in English =)

Don't use any images or flash.

You have to use the anchor text "make money at home" or "make money" or "money online" in your post.


And you have to link back to this page, which shows all the rules and details!

If I win I will donate all the money to my Blog For a Year contest.

There was no rule outlawing begging, so I am going to plead with you to pick my blog to win the money!! Thanks =)

Fechr-ed/Featured ... it's all the same

Want your blog to be Fechr-ed? Uh-huh, that's right F-E-C-H-R-E-D. A cool, hip word for an up and coming cool new site that, you guessed it, actually features your blog. All you do is enter your blog, blog about them, and then wait for your blog to be featured on their site.
The waiting thing isn't such a big deal though - in fact, it's rather brilliant. For a site that is just starting out their traffic isn't as high now as it will be in a month or two.
So while yes, I really truly do hope my blog will be fechr-ed I hope they hold onto it and do it in a couple of months when they're really booming. How perfect would being fechr-ed be for my blogging contest?? Think - or dream with me - about the potential traffic that could come to my site that would then go vote for my blog. Brilliant, eh?

An Award

I was nominated by my friend Pati for a web award and I won it!
Karla has awarded me this web award! You can view other winners of her web award here.

Thank you Pati for nominating me, and Karla for awarding me!!

Runs in the Family

Judah is just like me - and I gotta say, I am proud of it!! It drives Paul nuts, but I cannot for the life of me sleep in one place. The sheet and comforter always end up all on my side of the bed - or on the floor on my side. Paul - who is twice my size - ends up sleeping in one quarter of the bed, and I sprawl out over the rest of it.

Judah is definitely showing signs of being just like me. When he sleeps in bed with me I am the one sleeping on the edge of the bed and he takes up the rest of the bed.

This video is Judah during nap time. Some how he managed to lose his pants and pull up the bottom sheet. I don't know how! But hey ... I don't need to know =) Some people just have this natural talent and I am proud my baby boy shares this talent with me!

My Personal Chef

*Sigh* Even if his cooking was rotten I would still find it quite adorable that a muscular manly man made an attempt in the kitchen. But the great thing is he's a good cook! In fact he is an amazing cook!

Paul is good at many things, but one of my favorite things about him is his cooking skills. He makes the best pizza and the best bread that I have ever had (and I grew up with a mum and sister that made both really well!) He makes amazing omelets - which normally I hate omelets. But I really like Paul's. His are the only ones I will eat.

Paul is one of those talented cooks who doesn't follow a recipe - he is inspired by a recipe and then just lets his taste buds do the rest.
He is definitely a man about cooking though. When I told him that I did not like omelets he made it his personal mission to make them so that I would love them. And he did it! He makes them about once a week now for me, and I love every single one he makes! I think he's a little proud - and perhaps even smug - about the fact that he got me to like them.

If I say any definite "I do not..." he makes it his goal to change my mind. A negative person he is not!!

I think I could actually play this up to my advantage.

"I do not like chocolate."
"I do not like cheesecake."
"I do not like steak."
"I do not like iced coffee."

A Sign of a Brilliant Child - right?

This is how my baby watches his classical-music-to-make-his-brain-smarter-dvd! Instead of facing the tv like a normal person he turns his seat so his back is to it and then cranes his neck back to watch.

I don't claim to understand him. Just love him. =)

We only own one Judah-dvd. It is a Dollar Store version of Baby Einstein that my mum picked up for him. And while Judah loves it and finds it highly entertaining I do not.

I am not a fan of Baby Einstein. Never have been, and I don't think I ever will be. Those shows just drive me nuts!! I do however adore Classical Baby and am considering buying it for Judah (maybe putting the $10 giftcard to Amazon that I won this weekend towards it!)

Classical Baby is cute and whimsical. It is a three disk set, each disk featuring a different art form; dance, music and visual art. There are little cartooned animals that appear throughout - frogs swimming across a famous painting of water, ballerina mice dancing through a piece of art of ballerina's. It is a show that I don't mind watching over and over again - and if momma is happy, then, well - everyone is happy =)

Rock the Boat Baby

I am working on a new header for my blog. I haven't exactly figured it out yet, as you can see by the disproportioned pink border in the background. I've given up on it for the evening, but will try sometime in the next day or two to fix it all up!!

I have won many prizes this weekend!! I won two prizes from the give away thing I posted about on Thursday, and then yesterday I won THREE prizes from Jessica the Rock Chick's raffle - pretty sweet, eh? I am thinking sometime soon I should hold a contest on my blog!

Here is a video of Judah that the other Jessica played on her blog during the 24 hour blogathon (hope she didn't think she got exclusive rights to this video!!) When the camera *isn't* on him he laughs and laughs at the rowing, but this little dude is just fascinated with the camera and won't perform for the camera!







This second one is just some cute expressions - he has started tucking his lower lip under his upper lip - so adorable!! Please ignore the spit up on his sleeper - I really do do laundry and dress my baby in clean clothes - the spit up is about ten seconds old in the video! =)

A Mystery!

Some kind soul donated some money on Blog For A Year for me and I don't know who it was! If you read this could you tell me who you are so I can say thank you? Your donation is muchly appreciated! Thanks!

Hey, hey Good Lookin'

I just love this outfit of his that the Nummy's gave me at Christmas time for him - it is labeled 0-3 months and it is just fitting him now at 6 months. I think he always looks cuddly, but he's extra cuddly in this outfit!

Go Check it Out

Head on over to Jessica the Rock Chick's blog! She is going to be posting ALOT today in honor of the blogathon!! She will be posting every thirty minutes - Judah and I will even be appearing on her blog at 5:30pm EST. Go leave her some comments and participate in her trivia contests to win some cool prizes!

Cookie Crumbs

My friend Rachel sent me the recipe to these cookies - despite the name healthy in the title of them they are really delicious!! After I made them she suggested upping the amount of honey to 1/2 cup, but the 1/3 cup worked just fine for me!! These cookies freeze really well. The plan was to make them and then stick them in the freezer for "special" times. "Special times" is subjective, right?? Because our freezer no longer has any cookies in it =) I wanted to take a picture of them to go with the recipe but there are none left to photograph! Guess it means I need to make up another batch of them!

Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1 c. whole wheat flour

1 c. old fashioned oats

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 c. raw honey

1 egg

1/2 c. real butter

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. raisins

Cream the butter, honey, egg and vanilla with a mixer. Mix the dry ingredients in another bowl, then add to the butter mixture. Stir until moist. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

Uh-Oh!

I have been bumped to fifth place!! Oh No!! That just can't be!! Please, please, please vote for me today!! NO signing up is necessary!! ALL you do is click on the yellow bar above and then click on the link that says "VOTE FOR JESSICA MORRIS" It's SO easy - it'll just take a few seconds of your time!! Thank you!

6 months!

Judah is six months old today!! It is a rather odd feeling that he is half way to one year!! He has grown and changed so much already, and yet he still has the wonderful world of crawling to discover - and then walking!! And then there is all the food for him to taste - he's only had avocado, carrots, lemon and chocolate ice cream thus far! Can you imagine being limited to only those tastes?? I am so excited about him discovering all the different foods - tastes and textures - that are available! Our baby is growing up!! =)

A Giveaway!

Who doesn't love giveaways?? I meant to enter it to give something away - but I forgot, because forgetting things is what I do best these days... there are 506 links to giveaways on THIS blog - all you do is leave a comment on the blog of the prize you want to win. Cool, eh? But it all ends tomorrow ... so start entering!

8 Years Later

This picture was taken about 8 years ago when I was in grade 9. I was homeschooled and there was only one other girl my age, so rather than just the two of us celebrate our grade 8 graduation we waited until the many girls a year younger than us graduated and we all went out for dinner together to celebrate. I searched so long for the perfect dress to wear, and fell in love with this blue dress! Well guess what?


I just dug it out of my pile of clothes that I thought I'd never wear again and it fits!! I guess I had good taste at 14, because I still love the dress now!!

In Three Words...

I was tagged by Mel's Mom - Debbie Sewell - for a three word meme!

1. Where is your cell phone? On the counter
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend? Have a Hubby
3. Your hair? Baby pulls it
4. Where is your father? Umm, in Canada!
5. Your favorite thing to do? Cuddle my boys
6. Your dream last night? Shrek, rollercoasters, fairies
7. Your dream car? Don't have one
8. The room you're in? Painted beige walls
9. Who did you hang out with last night? Husband and baby
10. Your fears? spiders, night noises
11. What aren't you good at? changing car tires
12. Muffins? oh yes please!
13. One of your wish list items? A sewing machine
14. The last thing you did? Made a smoothie
15. Your computer? Handy dandy laptop
16. Your pet? none at all
17. You are wearing? Baby spit up
19. Your mood? sleepy and satisfied
20. Missing? pre baby body
21. Your car? Runs just fine!
22. What are you thinking about now? Putting baby down*
23. Your work? Wife and mom
24. Your summer? has been lovely
25. Your relationship status? Very happily married.
26. Your favorite color(s)? Blues, greens, creams
27. When is the last time you cried? hmm, don't recall
28. When was the last time you laughed? Few moments ago
29. School? Good times ... not!
30. Favorite 90's group? Don't have clue

*(to sleep!! But I am only allowed three words!!)

I am going to tag Jessica the Rock Chick - because she always makes me laugh with what she has to say and I want to see her refrained to three words!

On Saturday Jessica is participating in the Blog-a-thon to raise money for VH1 Save The Music Foundation. Check out her post HERE for full details on it and HERE for ways that you can win cool prizes and HERE for the cool prizes!

Baby Morris

Mmmm - mashed avocado! Anyone want to come for supper??

SGT Morris

Tilt your head sideways for the first bit!

My Boys

Yesterday was Paul's promotion ceremony. It was held at the clinic where he works. Judah and I went over for it and with all the pictures I took I didn't actually get one of the new rank! Judah is in front of it in this picture! I will add the movie from the ceremony a little bit later.

Today we decided to start Judah on some real foods - we started with avocado! He seemed quite perplexed by the new taste in his mouth, but he didn't spit it out! I got a movie of him eating too, which I will load tonight or tomorrow.
Hopefully the introduction of other foods will help him to sleep longer at night! For whatever reason he has been nursing every 2 - 3 hours around the clock! It's rather annoying and I am ready for it to end!

Onion Letters

What are the odds that our favorite Burger place is also our least favorite Burger place? Sounds complicated, but really, it isn't. Paul and I went to a Back Yard Burger in South Carolina once and fell in love with it! The food was incredibly good, and the staff was super friendly and helpful! We were excited to find one near our house and went out one night for supper there. We have never had a worse experience with eating out. They got the order wrong three times in a row, and when they finally did get it right we ended up throwing out most of our meal as it just tasted gross and looked rather unappetizing.

Soon after we were married I read an article in a woman's magazine about "Onion Letters." Onion letters being complaint letters. The woman had a fancy name for "praise" letters too, but I can't remember what those were called and I can't remember why she used the phrase "onion" ... I really should remember because Paul and I spent a good portion of a 14 hour car ride discussing that article ... but I simply cannot remember why. And anyways, the 'why' is a rather mute point to this blog.

Ever since reading that article I wanted to become an onion letter and 'praise' letter writer. If someone gave great service their boss should know about it! And if it stank, the boss should know that too. And, ok, I'll confess - the author got some free gift cards to the places she wrote letters to. And I want free gift cards too!

So, as of this afternoon I am an official Onion letter (and praise letter, tho that doesn't have the same ring to it!) writer. I wrote to the good Back Yard Burger location telling them how much we liked them, and I also wrote to the Headquarters telling them about the location we loved and the location we hated.

I have been racking my brain trying to think of other Onion letters I can write, but nothing else is coming to mind yet. From what I remember though the lady who wrote the article got a lot of free stuff just from writing letters - so, uh, maybe I will make that my career? Can't you just see my son on career day talking about his parents jobs?

"My daddy is in the US Army and is defending our country. My mummy writes onion letters."

Do you think I'll make him proud??

The Newest Accomplishment

Judah is sitting up - he's still tipsy, but he can do it!!
You need to tilt your head sideways to see it!

He's Growing

Judah is trying so hard to crawl!! He inches himself across the floor or his crib, and pushes his little bottom in the air trying to get himself up in the air.

Feelin' Crabby?

On Friday someone found this crab and then gave it to Autumn to play with. I don't think I have ever seen one up close moving! It was so cool!

Dragon Toes

Jessica Kearon bought this sleeper for Judah at Christmas time - I think it is the cutest sleeper ever - and he is finally *close enough* to fitting into it!

Splish Splash

Some pictures of the kids at the beach - I forgot to get some of my own baby!

Inventive

I love my husband. I really, really do. That being said - he is weird and he does some really odd things. He likes his coffee. Ok, no - he is obsessed about his coffee. We have to buy whole bean coffee to grind ourselves (My Aunt and Uncle bought him the grinder for Christmas and it is *the most* used and, I do believe, loved gift Paul has ever received!) It has to be certain brands of coffee we buy, and only certain blends.

Paul loves coffee.

So much so that he wouldn't allow the shattered coffee pot keep him from his morning, noon or nightly cup of joe.
I came home from my two weeks away to discover our "remodeled" coffee maker ...


Brilliant, eh? Makes me proud to be married to an inventor of the Pyrex Measuring Cup Coffee Maker. As proud as I am of our new coffee maker I want to get Paul a new one (and I want my measuring cup back!)
Any suggestions for a coffee maker? I'd love some ideas!

Sun Burnt Noses

Well, that was a crazy trip to Hilton Head! We got there Thursday night just after 10 pm. On Friday we hit the beach just after 10am I think, and stayed out till just after 3. I think I could live at the beach. If I didn't have a baby! I love Judah, but he does make a beach experience a challenge! I am so grateful for a husband who so graciously watches the baby and soothes the baby so that I can do other things (like, uh, swim in the ocean!)
We traded off who was in the water and who was sitting on the beach, and for a little while Ashley watched him so we could both be in the water. Some days I wonder why we live far away from our free babysitters?
We got home last night just before 11 - poor Paul had to be up at 4 this morning for work! He works so hard for us =)
All our beach pictures are on the other camera (and shh! don't tell Paul - but I am not sure where the cable is to connect it to my computer!) but here are a few of Judah and Paul on the way home last night.

Judah got hungry and decided to try out the steering wheel.


"Hey mum, don't worry - it doesn't taste as good as your milk!"


A glowing Paul teaching his son how to drive.


Judah was a natural!


Then he discovered this cool new way to drive - foot on the steering wheel!

Before you report us for bad parenting I want to clarify that the car was in park the entire time. See, the car door is even open!

Good Morning Mama!

I am not a morning person, but my sweet baby might just change that! He does make waking up a sweet event, especially if he is in bed with me when he is waking up (Shhh! Don't tell his doctor, but Judah does sleep in bed with me when Paul is away!) Paul has been in Alabama since Monday, so the past three mornings Judah has woken me up with his singing and happy chattering, along with his body inching across the bed trying to find mine. It is so sweet - once he finds me he just lays there cuddling next to me, singing me his happy good morning coos. How can I not love mornings when I get a wake up like that?

Sometimes it is hard to see that Judah is in fact growing and changing, but the last few days I have literally seen him change over night! It's rather exciting to see. Judah is mobile now - he can scoot his body all over his crib and our bed, and if I stick him on the floor he will do it there too (but it is in dire need of vacuuming, so he hasn't had much time on the floor! Have to speak to my housekeeper about that...) Judah has developed an interest in things now - he will lay and chat with his stuffed dog, horse or octopus. He wants to hold my fingers when he is sleepy, and he has developed an interest in our food! Which is what they say is a sign that they are ready to start on solids. Judah has tried a few things - mainly some apple sauce and then a lemon that Paul fed him ... don't ask. If Judah survives our parenting than he will be ready for anything in life!

Paul is getting home sometime this evening and then we are heading to the beach! Some friends are there right now and have a condo for the week. Paul only has tomorrow off, so we'll go tonight and spend the day there tomorrow, and then head home late tomorrow night. Should be fun! I think I could live at the beach!

So, really, I should be packing for our trip! I am going to try to find a new recipe to make something with the ground beef in my fridge, and make some more of those banana muffins - my seven recipes a week didn't go all that well this week - I don't cook for myself when Paul is away!

For those of you voting for me THANKS! I am 120 votes away from 4th place ... any thoughts on how to up the number of votes I get??

Moaning Meme

Jessica the Rock Chick tagged me to let loose and rant ...
The Freelance Cynic started the Moaning Meme so that our readers could get to know the real us... the moaners and groaners behind our smiling, happy blogs.
He says

"...our blogs, the social tools of the 21st century,
are populated by memes listing our 'favourites,'
or our 'blessings,' or our 'funniest' moments.
In our efforts to be readable we have denied others
the one thing that makes us interesting -
our whining, moaning, complaining selves."

After reading this tell me, did you learn something new about me? Was I more interesting for having complained? =)

List 5 people who will be annoyed that I tagged them.

I really truly don't wish to annoy anyone - but I think these five will be great ranters, thus my selected five are:

Crystal
Sarge Charlie
Mel
Erin
Sandy


List 4 things that should go into room 101 and be removed from the face of the earth.

Only 4 things to be removed from the face of the earth?
Ok, I shall try to narrow it down...

1. Pink vs Pretty in Pink. WHY would Victoria's Secret have a fragrance called Pink and one called Pretty in Pink?? Men are probably the biggest shoppers in that store, and while I realize they aren't usually in there to pick up fragrances, my man was, and he just saw the word "Pink" and thought it was the same as my all time favorite "Pretty in Pink." Umm, why would VS do that?? Certainly, Pink is a nice scent, and I love, love, love that my hubby got me nicely scented shower gel and lotions. This *is not* a rant about what he bought for me, rather that VS makes things more complicated than they need to be for male shoppers. I would send the Pink scent to the room, so that there is no confusion with Pretty in Pink.

2. Chinese Food Drive Thru's. I was brave enough (or foolish in hindsight) to try our local "Quick Chinese Drive Thru." I am probably the pickiest person in the world when it comes to Chinese food - I have walked out of more Chinese restaurants than I have eaten in - so what on earth possessed me to try a Chinese drive thru?? Maybe it was because I had a sleeping baby in the back seat that I didn't want to drag in some place with me. Or maybe it was because my husband was away with work for the night and I wanted something to remind me of him. Whatever the reason I found myself ordering #17 and two egg rolls. It smelt delicious, I shall give it credit for that! I drove home, lugged baby, Chinese food and our wet swimsuits from the days adventure to our second floor apartment, and sat down to enjoy the yummy smelling meal. It was not to be... the food was nasty and I have sworn off Chinese Drive Thru's for life.

3. Mosquito's. They are absolutely useless and serve no purpose other than to annoy every human being.

4. Subtitles. I have tried. I really, truly have tried watching foreign films and reading my movie. But if I wanted to read I would pick up a book! Movies are suppose to be enjoyable, relaxing even. Reading your movie takes effort - you have to read the lines and figure out who is actually saying those lines. It's not for me. And since some people can do it, and enjoy it, they make me feel uncultured and down right stupid. So I say lets just get rid of them all!

List 3 things that people do that make me want to shake them violently.

I am easily humored by people and their simplicity or stupidity, so I have had a hard time thinking up these three. But if I had to shake people it would be for:

1. Talking to me through Judah. HELLO! I am a human being still. In fact, I was a human being BEFORE Judah was a human being. If he is skinny and underweight, or super fat, or abnormally tall, or rather average, or cute, or "too good looking to be a boy" or 8 lbs or 13 lbs (which he has been all of these things, according to other people, within days of each other) tell ME not him. My life is now all about him. Please make something about me. Even if it is just acknowledging me as the one who has caused all of his problems.

2. Not calling before coming over. And that is addressed solely to our maintenance men, who have the keys to get into the apartment if, while I am laying in bed and hear the door bell, chose to ignore it, will enter the apartment. So annoying. What would it hurt them to give a little call telling me they are coming over?

3. Driving slowly in the left lane. It bugs me. Especially on a 20 + hour road trip.


List 2 things I find myself moaning about:

1. The baby fat I have yet to lose. WHY does it take so long to come off?? Will it ever come off?

2. The house cleaner. She's been doing an awful job at vacuuming, putting the clothes away and cleaning the tile floors. I am thinking of firing her... can you fire yourself??

What 1 thing do the above answers tell me about myself.

I will do anything to procrastinate from household chores...


Play along if you'd like! Here are the official rules:

* Link to the original meme at freelancecynic.com so people know what it's all about!
* Be as honest as possible, This is about letting people get to know the real you!
* Try not to insult anyone - unless they really deserve it or are very, very ugly!
* Post these rules at the end of every meme!

Happy Birthday Spenny!

Rated...

Mingle² -

This is what my blog is rated! It got its PG rating because it contains the word
PAIN 3x, POOP 2x and DANGEROUS 1x. Interesting ...

New Recipes

Here are two delicious recipes that compliment each other well! They are both rather easy, and the burgers are especially amazing!

Cheddar Bacon Bugers

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• *2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup real bacon bits
• 4 hamburger buns

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat grill for high heat.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, Cheddar cheese, horseradish, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and bacon bits using your hands. Shape the mixture into 4 hamburger patties.
3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place hamburger patties on the grill, and cook for 5 minutes per side, or until well done. Serve on buns.

* I didn't have horseradish sauce and instead used Grey Poupon Mustard and Dill Weed.

Hamburger Buns

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine the milk, 1 cup of water, butter, sugar and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil then remove from the heat and let stand until lukewarm. If the mixture is too hot, it will kill the yeast.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour and yeast. Pour in wet ingredients and stir until the dough starts to pull together. If you have a stand mixer, use the dough hook to mix for about 8 minutes. If not, knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let stand until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. Punch down the dough and divide into 12 portions They should be a little larger than a golf ball. Make tight balls out of the dough by pulling the dough tightly around and pinching it at the bottom. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. After the rolls sit for a minute and relax, flatten each ball with the palm of your hand until it is 3 to 4 inches wide. You may want to oil your hand first. Set rolls aside until they double in size, about 20 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Mix together the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water in a cup or small bowl. Brush onto the tops of the rolls. Position 2 oven racks so they are not too close to the top or bottom of the oven.
5. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove the rolls from the oven and return them to different shelves so each one spends a little time on the top. Continue to bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until nicely browned on the top and bottom.

Banana Muffins with a Crunch

I got this recipe from www.allrecipes.com for banana muffins. They are delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup melted butter, cooled
• 2 bananas, mashed
• 1 banana, chopped
• 1 cup granola
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• *1 cup shredded coconut
• *1/4 cup banana chips (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the eggs, milk, vanilla, and butter. Fold in mashed bananas, chopped banana, granola, walnuts, and coconut. Scoop into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with banana chips.
3. Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

* I didn't add either of these

Life

Nope, I haven't jumped off the face of the earth. I know ya'll we're sitting on the edge of your computer chair just waiting to find out why I haven't been posting - well, here is the reason.
22 is old.
I know most of you who read this are older than that, so please don't throw anything at me for saying that! But since turning 22 two weeks ago it's like my body has suddenly been more demanding. It needs more sleep. It gets more tired. Sure, it might have *something* to do with the fact that on Monday my brother and I took 23 hours to drive from Toronto to my apartment (we stopped and shopped for three hours, I'll tell you about that later!) And then on Friday I was up at 3:30 am to get same brother to the airport so that he could fly back up North... but I chose to blame it on the fact that I am getting old. I miss the good old days when I could bounce right back after a long road trip, or get up super early and be just fine. But now I am old, and my body is making me pay for it. Ok - I shall stop. Before everyone older than 22 hates me. (But everyone younger than 22 be warned - your body will change and you will be old before you're ready to be!)

About that three hours shopping ... Spencer and I were driving on I-79 in PA, about an hour South of Erie, and we stopped at the Grove City Outlets. They are so worth stopping at, even if it means going out of your way to get to them!! They were quite amazing. When I say there were deals I do mean deals. D.E.A.L.S. I bought at two stores - The Children's Place and Aeropostale - things were on sale to begin with and then an additional 50% off of that - I spent a total of $29 and got $270 worth of things. It was rather exciting for a bargain shopper =) The best deal was a gorgeous mens wool sweater regularly $42 that I got for $1.50! Pretty sweet deal, eh? It was fun to have that shopping break in the midst of the long drive!

We got back down here otherwise uneventfully - arriving here at 5 Tuesday morning! Paul had Tuesday off, so we just hung around doing a lot of nothing. It is so very nice to be back home again =)

I have decided that I am going to try to vamp up my cooking skills - each week I am going to try to use at least 7 new recipes. So far it's going well and I have discovered two rather delicious ones - bacon cheeseburgers (with the bacon and cheese grilled in the burger itself) and hamburger buns. They are definite keepers and I will post the recipes later this week.

Please continue to vote for me! I am in 6th place right now! Thanks to all the faithful voters each day =)

Craig & Amanda's Wedding 07-07-07